Campers work through some dance moves at the Summer at the Center program in Segerstrom Center.

Campers focus on singing during the Summer at the Center program at the Segerstrom Center.

Campers work through some dance moves at the Summer at the Center program in Segerstrom Center.

Loosening their face muscles in preparation for a music lesson seems to bring a smilie to one campers face.

One Summer at the Center camper focuses in on the music.

Sopranos practice in a hallway at the Segerstrom Center recently.

A camp participant at the Summer at the Center program at the Segerstrom Center gets his face ready for some singing. The teenagers are tutored in singing, dancing and acting with the program culminating in two free performances for the public.

Some of the music classes during the Summer at the Center program at the Segerstrom Center recently were held around the piano.

For 21 years, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts has been making a difference in the lives of local, at-risk youths. The Summer at the Center program exposes teens from diverse and often difficult backgrounds to the thrilling world of the performing arts.

In the two-week program, the teens learn a variety of styles of dance and music, such as jazz and ballet, and become proficient at working together. Guest speakers, ranging from musicians, directors and actors to program alumni, inspire the participants and help strengthen what they are learning.

At the program’s end, the participants put on a revue-style show in classic Broadway fashion, with three performances Saturday in the center’s Samueli Theater. The shows are free to the public.

The award-winning program assists teens in building up their confidence and becoming role models for their peers. Out of more than 100 applicants, 40 were chosen, not for their artistic abilities, but for their dedication to learning and improving and their desire for bringing about a positive change in their lives

The Summer at the Center program is intended for teens who “recognize that it is time to make a change and are ready and show a need for healthy, safe ways to have fun, and to turn over a new leaf,” said Talena Mara, the Segerstrom Center’s vice president of education.

Mara emphasizes that Summer at the Center is not a training program for aspiring performers but instead teaches its participants “a new understanding for the path ahead” as well as an appreciation for their own struggles.” The program, she says, teaches “discipline, respect, and team spirit” and that it “changes the lives of everyone who watches, learns, and teaches in a valuable and special way.”

All participants come from ACCESS (Alternative, Community, and Correctional Education Schools and Services) schools which do not offer any sort of art or music program. Opportunities within Summer at the Center include writing and recording songs and choreographing a dance number. But some opportunities are inspired by the students themselves.

The program culminates in a show that highlights all of the participants’ work as an ensemble and as individuals. Bill Brawley, director of the program since its beginning in 1991, adds new pieces to the show after seeing the teens’ individual performances on the first day. Subsequently, one of the boys will rap and another will play the piano, in addition to the many other moments participants will be given to shine. The theme for the show is “Words That End With –ing”, which include “sharing, singing, giving, acting, dancing, happy ending, creating, and learning.”

Jason Holland, director of education programs, says the creative process the teens go through “parallels the process for change.”

“First there’s fear and resistance, then there’s failure and frustration, and then they reach the turning point which leads them to confidence and success,” he said.

Holland witnesses first-hand the transformation that takes place within the students. He says that the teens build up layers over the years and that this program reveals the real person once all the walls come down.

“If you can stand up straight, look someone in the eye, shake their hand, and say their name, you’ve got something you can carry with you through the rest of your life.”

Two of the participants, Dylan and Maranda, express how important this program is to them.

Maranda says Summer at the Center is a lot work and emotionally hard, but says she knows the program is about finding “support, help, care, and love.”

“I want to work with kids someday because I can relate to them and because I know what it’s like (to have struggles),” she says.

Dylan, who skates, wrestles, and plays football, says the program is a second chance.

“They don’t look at the things that you’ve done in the past, but look at your future,” “I’ve met some incredible people … I don’t want it to end.”

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.